About this episode
The terror that gripped California for over a decade finally came into focus in 2018. Joseph James D’Angelo, a former police officer and seemingly ordinary father, was unmasked as the Golden State Killer – a serial predator responsible for at least 13 murders, over 50 rapes, and countless home invasions from the mid-1970s to the 1980s.
In this second part of our True Criminals special, Sky News crime correspondent Martin Brunt and journalist Helen Fospero continue their conversation with retired FBI profiler Julia Cowley, who led the behavioural analysis of D’Angelo’s crimes. Julia reveals the full psychological profile of one of America’s most notorious offenders, providing a chilling window into the mind of a man whose need for control, feelings of inadequacy, and escalating violence allowed him to operate undetected for decades.
We examine the investigation that finally brought D’Angelo to justice and explore his courtroom behaviour, revealing the stark contrast between the predator who terrorised families and the frail, confused man who faced the law. Julia also reflects on the key factors that shaped his deviant behaviour, the rare moments where his crimes escalated to deadly violence, and what his capture tells us about profiling, policing, and the evolution of forensic science.
In Part Two, listeners will discover:
How D’Angelo’s psychological profile explained his obsession with control, power, and sexual fantasy
The breakthrough DNA techniques that cracked one of America’s most infamous cold cases
Insights into his behaviour during arrest and court proceedings, exposing the true man behind the mask
The challenges and debates within FBI profiling and the accuracy of Julia Cowley’s predictions
Lessons for investigators and the public on identifying potential offenders before escalation
This gripping episode offers an unparalleled insight into the criminal mind, the painstaking investigation that unmasked a decades-long predator, and the groundbreaking science that is transforming cold case investigations.
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